Sabers fall to Trojans in state opening round

Robert Collias

Staff Writer

rcollias@mauinews.com

Jon Aunese of Maui High School hits against Mililani’s Nathaniel Johnson in the second set of the Sabers’ four-set loss to the Trojans in a state tournament first-round match Monday. The Maui News / CHRIS SUGIDONO photo

KAHULUI — The Maui High School boys volleyball team ran out of magic in the Izumi “Shine” Matsui Athletic Center on Monday.

The Sabers were facing Mililani in the first round of the New City Nissan Division I state tournament, a postseason appearance the Sabers were making for the first time in five seasons.

After losing the first two sets, they cranked out one more set before falling, 25-17, 25-20, 19-25, 25-17.

“They were a tough opponent, but at least we tried,” Maui High senior frontliner Jon Aunese said. “We showed them how Maui High was, what we got. For Mililani, they are tough opponents and we respect them for giving us a good match.”

The respect was mutual.

Maui High’s Julius Benavidez tries to block Mililani’s Chance Guillermo in the second set Monday.

“It feels good to come out to an outer island and get to see what the competition is like on the other islands, so that was really nice,” Mililani coach Trenton Niino said. “I told the boys: ‘We’re here for business, it is not a vacation. We’re not here for Krispy Kreme, we’re not here for guri-guri ice cream. We’re here to play a game, win and get off.’

“Hats off, man. They are a great program. They’re scrappy. They gave us a good fight.”

Maui High senior outside hitter Chey Higashiguchi sprained his ankle at practice on Friday and watched the match from the bench on crutches.

“That was a big killer right there,” Houpo said. “We had to find other guys to step up. Any team coming from Honolulu, they’re going to be tough and now the boys know. We can tell them all we want, but until they actually play against them … now they know.”